diff --git a/app/test-pmd/csumonly.c b/app/test-pmd/csumonly.c
index e1cb7fb..e449ae2 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/csumonly.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/csumonly.c
@@ -717,19 +717,19 @@ struct simple_gre_hdr {
 	uint16_t nb_segments = 0;
 	int ret;
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
 #endif
-
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/* receive a burst of packet */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue, pkts_burst,
 				 nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	if (unlikely(nb_rx == 0))
 		return;
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_BURST_STATS
@@ -989,8 +989,10 @@ struct simple_gre_hdr {
 		printf("Preparing packet burst to transmit failed: %s\n",
 				rte_strerror(rte_errno));
 
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue, tx_pkts_burst,
 			nb_prep);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 
 	/*
 	 * Retry if necessary
@@ -999,8 +1001,10 @@ struct simple_gre_hdr {
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_rx && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&tx_pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_rx - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 	fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -1017,12 +1021,7 @@ struct simple_gre_hdr {
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(tx_pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_rx);
 	}
-
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine csum_fwd_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/flowgen.c b/app/test-pmd/flowgen.c
index ade6fe5..2b98637 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/flowgen.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/flowgen.c
@@ -130,20 +130,21 @@
 	uint16_t i;
 	uint32_t retry;
 	uint64_t tx_offloads;
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
-#endif
 	static int next_flow = 0;
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
+#endif
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/* Receive a burst of packets and discard them. */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue, pkts_burst,
 				 nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	fs->rx_packets += nb_rx;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < nb_rx; i++)
@@ -212,7 +213,9 @@
 		next_flow = (next_flow + 1) % cfg_n_flows;
 	}
 
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue, pkts_burst, nb_pkt);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 	/*
 	 * Retry if necessary
 	 */
@@ -220,8 +223,10 @@
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_rx && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_rx - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 	fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -239,11 +244,7 @@
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_pkt);
 	}
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine flow_gen_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/icmpecho.c b/app/test-pmd/icmpecho.c
index 2d359c9..f2a6195 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/icmpecho.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/icmpecho.c
@@ -293,21 +293,22 @@
 	uint32_t cksum;
 	uint8_t  i;
 	int l2_len;
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
-#endif
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
+#endif
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/*
 	 * First, receive a burst of packets.
 	 */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue, pkts_burst,
 				 nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	if (unlikely(nb_rx == 0))
 		return;
 
@@ -492,8 +493,10 @@
 
 	/* Send back ICMP echo replies, if any. */
 	if (nb_replies > 0) {
+		TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 		nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue, pkts_burst,
 					 nb_replies);
+		TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		/*
 		 * Retry if necessary
 		 */
@@ -502,10 +505,12 @@
 			while (nb_tx < nb_replies &&
 					retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 				rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+				TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 				nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port,
 						fs->tx_queue,
 						&pkts_burst[nb_tx],
 						nb_replies - nb_tx);
+				TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 			}
 		}
 		fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -519,12 +524,7 @@
 			} while (++nb_tx < nb_replies);
 		}
 	}
-
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine icmp_echo_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/iofwd.c b/app/test-pmd/iofwd.c
index 9dce76e..dc66a88 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/iofwd.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/iofwd.c
@@ -51,21 +51,21 @@
 	uint16_t nb_tx;
 	uint32_t retry;
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
 #endif
-
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/*
 	 * Receive a burst of packets and forward them.
 	 */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue,
 			pkts_burst, nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	if (unlikely(nb_rx == 0))
 		return;
 	fs->rx_packets += nb_rx;
@@ -73,8 +73,10 @@
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_BURST_STATS
 	fs->rx_burst_stats.pkt_burst_spread[nb_rx]++;
 #endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 			pkts_burst, nb_rx);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 	/*
 	 * Retry if necessary
 	 */
@@ -82,8 +84,10 @@
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_rx && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_rx - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 	fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -96,11 +100,7 @@
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_rx);
 	}
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine io_fwd_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/macfwd.c b/app/test-pmd/macfwd.c
index d2ebb11..58168b6 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/macfwd.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/macfwd.c
@@ -56,21 +56,23 @@
 	uint16_t i;
 	uint64_t ol_flags = 0;
 	uint64_t tx_offloads;
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
+
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
 #endif
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
 #endif
 
 	/*
 	 * Receive a burst of packets and forward them.
 	 */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue, pkts_burst,
 				 nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	if (unlikely(nb_rx == 0))
 		return;
 
@@ -103,7 +105,9 @@
 		mb->vlan_tci = txp->tx_vlan_id;
 		mb->vlan_tci_outer = txp->tx_vlan_id_outer;
 	}
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue, pkts_burst, nb_rx);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 	/*
 	 * Retry if necessary
 	 */
@@ -111,8 +115,10 @@
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_rx && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_rx - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -126,11 +132,7 @@
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_rx);
 	}
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine mac_fwd_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/macswap.c b/app/test-pmd/macswap.c
index 71af916..b22acdb 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/macswap.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/macswap.c
@@ -86,21 +86,22 @@
 	uint16_t nb_rx;
 	uint16_t nb_tx;
 	uint32_t retry;
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
-#endif
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
+#endif
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/*
 	 * Receive a burst of packets and forward them.
 	 */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue, pkts_burst,
 				 nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	if (unlikely(nb_rx == 0))
 		return;
 
@@ -112,7 +113,10 @@
 
 	do_macswap(pkts_burst, nb_rx, txp);
 
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue, pkts_burst, nb_rx);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
+
 	/*
 	 * Retry if necessary
 	 */
@@ -120,8 +124,10 @@
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_rx && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_rx - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 	fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -134,11 +140,7 @@
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_rx);
 	}
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine mac_swap_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/rxonly.c b/app/test-pmd/rxonly.c
index 5c65fc4..d1da357 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/rxonly.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/rxonly.c
@@ -50,19 +50,18 @@
 	uint16_t nb_rx;
 	uint16_t i;
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
-
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/*
 	 * Receive a burst of packets.
 	 */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue, pkts_burst,
 				 nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	if (unlikely(nb_rx == 0))
 		return;
 
@@ -73,11 +72,7 @@
 	for (i = 0; i < nb_rx; i++)
 		rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[i]);
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 struct fwd_engine rx_only_engine = {
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/softnicfwd.c b/app/test-pmd/softnicfwd.c
index 94e6669..9b2b0e6 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/softnicfwd.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/softnicfwd.c
@@ -87,35 +87,39 @@ struct tm_hierarchy {
 	uint16_t nb_tx;
 	uint32_t retry;
 
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
 #endif
-
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 	/*  Packets Receive */
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 	nb_rx = rte_eth_rx_burst(fs->rx_port, fs->rx_queue,
 			pkts_burst, nb_pkt_per_burst);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 	fs->rx_packets += nb_rx;
 
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_BURST_STATS
 	fs->rx_burst_stats.pkt_burst_spread[nb_rx]++;
 #endif
 
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 			pkts_burst, nb_rx);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 
 	/* Retry if necessary */
 	if (unlikely(nb_tx < nb_rx) && fs->retry_enabled) {
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_rx && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_rx - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 	fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -130,11 +134,7 @@ struct tm_hierarchy {
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_rx);
 	}
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/testpmd.c b/app/test-pmd/testpmd.c
index 0dd47b3..b9cdc2e 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/testpmd.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/testpmd.c
@@ -1506,6 +1506,12 @@ struct extmem_param {
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
 	uint64_t fwd_cycles = 0;
 #endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES
+	uint64_t rx_cycles = 0;
+#endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES
+	uint64_t tx_cycles = 0;
+#endif
 	uint64_t total_recv = 0;
 	uint64_t total_xmit = 0;
 	struct rte_port *port;
@@ -1536,6 +1542,12 @@ struct extmem_param {
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
 		fwd_cycles += fs->core_cycles;
 #endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES
+		rx_cycles += fs->core_rx_cycles;
+#endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES
+		tx_cycles += fs->core_tx_cycles;
+#endif
 	}
 	for (i = 0; i < cur_fwd_config.nb_fwd_ports; i++) {
 		uint8_t j;
@@ -1671,6 +1683,20 @@ struct extmem_param {
 		       (unsigned int)(fwd_cycles / total_recv),
 		       fwd_cycles, total_recv);
 #endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES
+	if (total_recv > 0)
+		printf("\n  rx CPU cycles/packet=%u (total cycles="
+		       "%"PRIu64" / total RX packets=%"PRIu64")\n",
+		       (unsigned int)(rx_cycles / total_recv),
+		       rx_cycles, total_recv);
+#endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES
+	if (total_xmit > 0)
+		printf("\n  tx CPU cycles/packet=%u (total cycles="
+		       "%"PRIu64" / total TX packets=%"PRIu64")\n",
+		       (unsigned int)(tx_cycles / total_xmit),
+		       tx_cycles, total_xmit);
+#endif
 }
 
 void
@@ -1701,6 +1727,12 @@ struct extmem_param {
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
 		fs->core_cycles = 0;
 #endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES
+		fs->core_rx_cycles = 0;
+#endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES
+		fs->core_tx_cycles = 0;
+#endif
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/testpmd.h b/app/test-pmd/testpmd.h
index e3a6f7c..d4890d4 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/testpmd.h
+++ b/app/test-pmd/testpmd.h
@@ -130,12 +130,52 @@ struct fwd_stream {
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
 	uint64_t     core_cycles; /**< used for RX and TX processing */
 #endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES
+	uint64_t     core_tx_cycles; /**< used for tx_burst processing */
+#endif
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES
+	uint64_t     core_rx_cycles; /**< used for rx_burst processing */
+#endif
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_BURST_STATS
 	struct pkt_burst_stats rx_burst_stats;
 	struct pkt_burst_stats tx_burst_stats;
 #endif
 };
 
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(a) {a = rte_rdtsc(); }
+#else
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(a)
+#endif
+
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES) || \
+	defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES)
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(a) {a = rte_rdtsc(); }
+#else
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(a)
+#endif
+
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, s) \
+{uint64_t end_tsc = rte_rdtsc(); fs->core_cycles += end_tsc - (s); }
+#else
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, s)
+#endif
+
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, s) \
+{uint64_t end_tsc = rte_rdtsc(); fs->core_tx_cycles += end_tsc - (s); }
+#else
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, s)
+#endif
+
+#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, s) \
+{uint64_t end_tsc = rte_rdtsc(); fs->core_rx_cycles += end_tsc - (s); }
+#else
+#define TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_ADD(fs, s)
+#endif
+
 /** Descriptor for a single flow. */
 struct port_flow {
 	struct port_flow *next; /**< Next flow in list. */
diff --git a/app/test-pmd/txonly.c b/app/test-pmd/txonly.c
index 10d641a..f08dffe 100644
--- a/app/test-pmd/txonly.c
+++ b/app/test-pmd/txonly.c
@@ -241,16 +241,16 @@
 	uint32_t retry;
 	uint64_t ol_flags = 0;
 	uint64_t tx_offloads;
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	uint64_t start_tsc;
-	uint64_t end_tsc;
-	uint64_t core_cycles;
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_tx_tsc;
+#endif
+#if defined(RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES)
+	uint64_t start_rx_tsc;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	start_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_RX_START(start_rx_tsc);
 #endif
-
 	mbp = current_fwd_lcore()->mbp;
 	txp = &ports[fs->tx_port];
 	tx_offloads = txp->dev_conf.txmode.offloads;
@@ -302,7 +302,9 @@
 	if (nb_pkt == 0)
 		return;
 
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 	nb_tx = rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue, pkts_burst, nb_pkt);
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 	/*
 	 * Retry if necessary
 	 */
@@ -310,8 +312,10 @@
 		retry = 0;
 		while (nb_tx < nb_pkt && retry++ < burst_tx_retry_num) {
 			rte_delay_us(burst_tx_delay_time);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_START(start_tx_tsc);
 			nb_tx += rte_eth_tx_burst(fs->tx_port, fs->tx_queue,
 					&pkts_burst[nb_tx], nb_pkt - nb_tx);
+			TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_TX_ADD(fs, start_tx_tsc);
 		}
 	}
 	fs->tx_packets += nb_tx;
@@ -334,12 +338,7 @@
 			rte_pktmbuf_free(pkts_burst[nb_tx]);
 		} while (++nb_tx < nb_pkt);
 	}
-
-#ifdef RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES
-	end_tsc = rte_rdtsc();
-	core_cycles = (end_tsc - start_tsc);
-	fs->core_cycles = (uint64_t) (fs->core_cycles + core_cycles);
-#endif
+	TEST_PMD_CORE_CYC_FWD_ADD(fs, start_rx_tsc);
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/config/common_base b/config/common_base
index 5cb73a7..5ab189d 100644
--- a/config/common_base
+++ b/config/common_base
@@ -1003,6 +1003,8 @@ CONFIG_RTE_PROC_INFO=n
 #
 CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD=y
 CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES=n
+CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES=n
+CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES=n
 CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_BURST_STATS=n
 
 #
diff --git a/doc/guides/testpmd_app_ug/build_app.rst b/doc/guides/testpmd_app_ug/build_app.rst
index d1ca9f3..661f0c6 100644
--- a/doc/guides/testpmd_app_ug/build_app.rst
+++ b/doc/guides/testpmd_app_ug/build_app.rst
@@ -21,6 +21,23 @@ The basic compilation steps are:
 
         export RTE_TARGET=x86_64-native-linux-gcc
 
+#.  Edit the desired conditional options in $RTE_SDK/config/common_base (optional):
+
+    *  ``CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_TX_CYCLES``
+
+       Enables gathering profiling data for transmit datapath,
+       counts the ticks spent within rte_eth_tx_burst() routine.
+
+    *  ``CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_RX_CYCLES``
+
+       Enables gathering profiling data for receive datapath,
+       counts ticks spent within rte_eth_rx_burst() routine.
+
+    *  ``CONFIG_RTE_TEST_PMD_RECORD_CORE_CYCLES``
+
+       Enables gathering profiling data for forwarding routine
+       in general.
+
 #.  Build the application:
 
     .. code-block:: console
